US Republicans Urge Rejecting International Climate Pact

Republicans in the United States are urging their country not to sign onto any international agreement on climate change.

Speaking for their weekly radio and internet address, U.S. congresswoman Marsha Blackburn said a mandatory limit on greenhouse gas emissions, which the Copenhagen agreement is likely to include, would "destroy millions of American jobs."

Blackburn also said it would "damage American competitiveness," because developing industrial giants China and India may not agree to the mandatory limits.

Republicans have long argued that capping emissions would lead to skyrocketing energy prices, as manufacturers paid to shift away from fossil fuels or for carbon-capture technologies.

Supporters of emissions limits say legislation can be used to mitigate the cost increases, by fostering higher energy efficiency and allowing polluters the right to pay for extra emissions.